iLab replaces ad hoc or non-integrated systems such as spreadsheets or home-grown databases, improving data reliability and making it easy for researchers to identify relevant samples and associated data, metadata, and locations. Benefits of iLab's sample tracking functionality include:

• Easy association of samples with service requests
• Robust management of samples and linking with associated research data
• Strong security of private information, with several levels of permissioning controls
• Easy-to-use templates for various sample types including plasmids, cells, antibodies, oligos, bacteria, and mice. Others can be generated by iLab upon request
• Flexible data access, including exporting of data is easily exportable into CSV, XML and other standard formats
• Expandable storage capacity